Qufu, historically known as Lu County, was the capital of the State of Lu during the Spring-Autumn Warring period. It was the hometown of Confucius, the founder of Confuciuanism and also the birthplace of prominent figures such as Yanzi, Zuo Qiuming and Lu Ban, as well as Confucian culture. Qufu has exerted far-reaching influence on the Confucian cultural sphere in Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia, and is a key starting point for the development of eastern culture.